Random Scoring Thoughts – dialogue

I just scored an important dialogue scene that takes place over the phone at the start of the film where the inciting event takes place. Here are some things I was conscious of while writing.

Know the mood. In this case; questioning, unsure, dark, moody.

Pace the film, this was the start of the film so I made sure the music was appropriate for this point of the story.

Important story beats and structure of the scene, music is a big help for that. For this scene it was about building to the Â inciting event/ that moment of decision that gets the story under-way, and making sure the music is part of it.

Using thematic/motivic elements that will come back later as this story element develops. This requires planning so don’t jump the gun and start writing too soon, get your material first.

Don’t over-plan either, at some point you need to just go and start writing.

Don’t be afraid of re-writing. Leave time for this if you can, because it can lead to great things by giving you perspective. Scripts aren’t done in first drafts.

Plan your tempo carefully. I adjusted the tempo at the end of this cue at least half a dozen times until it was spot on.

Good dialogue writing can blend in the background, that’s perfectly fine. When the music fits so well that it ‘disappears’ then you did great.

Good dialogue music doesn’t need to be invisible either. You can play melody as people talk and it’s fine. It’s more than fine actually, it’s great. It depends on what is happening with the characters and the part of the story you are in. It’s all relative.